The seven finalists in this year's Tom Pettit Thanksgiving essay competition were announced yesterday.

Competing for the top essay prize will be Brian Amaro, Michelle Camara, Michelle Kelly and Matthew Sinclair from Mount St. Agnes Academy; Aysha DeSilva and Alexa Lightbourne from Berkeley Institute; and, Courtney Woodings from Bermuda High School.

The contest offers a chance to win a $2,000 grant, half of which goes to the winner's school. The other six finalists will receive $500 grants and "Commendation of Excellence" awards.

New this year will be a prize sponsored by US Consul General Gregory Slayton to the student who makes the best television presentation.

This year's panel of judges were: Jennifer Hind, The Royal Gazette educational services coordinator; Florenz Maxwell; Candace Ray, Bermuda Sun feature writer; and Senator Kim Wilson, Junior Minister of Education, Sports and Recreation.

Held annually since 1997, the competition challenges students to write a 500-word essay exploring the topic, "Why I Am Thankful".

Over the past ten years, grants of over $45,000 have been awarded to the Island's young authors and their schools in recognition of writing excellence.

Named after her late husband, Tom Pettit, an Emmy-award winning NBC TV journalist, who briefly lived in Bermuda, the contest was created by Patricia Pettit, marketing consultant for Pembroke Atlantic Ltd.

The essay competition is now organised through "The Pettit Grants", a Bermuda- registered charity.

Partners who have joined in generously supporting the effort include: Aardvark Communications, The Ace Foundation, The Holland Trust, Harbor Point Reinsurance, Rosedon Hotel and the XL Foundation.